Mexico P4G National Platform Launch Sets Foundation for Green Growth

In Mexico last month, P4G Global Director Ian de Cruz joined representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources to launch the Mexican P4G National Platform on the sidelines of the 15-year anniversary of the UN Global Compact’s Mexican Local Network.

The launch took the form of a roundtable discussion during which representatives from P4G partner organizations Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Global Compact and World Resources Institute (WRI) presented on how P4G’s vision aligns with their respective work. More than 70 participants from the business, public and civil society sectors – including representatives from the Zero Emission Bus Rapid-deployment Accelerator and the Building Efficiency Accelerator, two P4G 2018 scale-up partnerships -- then discussed opportunities for P4G growth and implementation across the country.

Earlier in the week, CEO and Executive Director of UN Global Compact and P4G Board Member Lise Kingo participated in a panel discussion with more than 700 corporate attendees. Her mention of P4G at this event positioned the initiative strategically as an innovative and viable approach to future growth. The panel followed a discussion where Kingo joined Alfonso Romo, the head of the Office of the President of Mexico, Economy Secretary Graciela Márquez Colín, and Antonio Molpeceres, the resident coordinator of the UN System to affirm future collaborations between the Compact, private businesses and the federal government.

“With the P4G association and the launch of the National Platform, both the Government of Mexico and the Ministry of Economy seek to send a firm signal about our intention to move towards an economy resistant to climate change, in collaboration with the private sector. This would do much to unlock investment in green growth, which in turn would decrease the burden on public resources. Given the magnitude of the challenges and the deadlines that must be met, partnerships to promote Mexico's transition are essential,” remarked Minister Márquez Colín.

Germán Muciño Guerrero of the Ministry of Economy and who helped organize the event, added, "The launch of the National P4G Platform in Mexico generated interest in the most important business associations to work hand in hand with civil associations and the government on strategic projects that promote green growth."

P4G Global Director, Ian de Cruz, speaking alongside Sergio Silva Castañeda of the Secretary of Economy of Mexico and Lars Steen Nielsen of the Embassy of Denmark.

“That we were able to launch our National Platform and receive recognition around UN Global Compact’s 15-year celebration of their Local Network in Mexico was an excellent opportunity to expand P4G’s vision of collaboration with a broad network of leaders across industries,” said de Cruz. “We look forward to working with many organizations and champions in Mexico to accelerate partnerships and build green growth solutions.”

Already, the Zero Emission Bus Rapid-deployment Accelerator a 2018 scale-up partnership, is working to secure commitments from major bus and engine manufacturers to support the growth of electric buses in Mexico City and other major Latin American cities. The partnership facilitates public-private collaboration on vehicle specifications, charging strategies, pilot projects, financing and other steps necessary for fleet-wide deployment of zero emission buses.

The Cities Climate Action Project supported by the Building Efficiency Accelerator works with Mexican cities to support their policies and programs in energy efficiency. The partnership aims to scale across the Americas.

Moving ahead, Mexico’s deepened engagement with P4G through its National Platform will provide a strong foundation for existing and future partnership activities to take transformative action towards achieving climate commitments and the Sustainable Development Goals.